DON’T CRY FOR MALBEC.
A mate told me that he was having a friend who loved Malbec around for dinner, “can you recommend a good one?”, he asked.
Without realising he’d asked me about Argentinean Malbec as this grape variety has single-handedly put Argentina on the world wine map, now accounting for about forty per cent of all Argentina’s wine production.
Success however, also has its downside as Malbec’s dominance means that Argentina’s other wines are often overlooked. This huge slice of South America has far more to offer including Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot Noir whilst on the white shelf Argentina’s signature variety Torrontes is also well worth searching out as are Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon.
To get the very best from this wide range of grape varieties Argentina has a unique climate with the mighty Andes Mountains to the west, the cold Atlantic to the east, to the north some of the world’s highest vineyards (Salta) and to the south the cool expanses of Patagonia.
The vineyard regions are tucked up against the mighty Andes Mountains and are, from north to south, Salta, Catamarca, La Rioja, San Juan, Mendoza, Rio Negro and Neuquen. To feel the scale of Argentina, Mendoza City is about 1000 kilometres inland from the coastal capital Beunos Aires!
If you want to annoy a Bordeaux winemaker just mention Malbec! Why? Their Bordeaux climate isn’t warm enough to fully ripen this classic variety and seeing the results from Argentina’s abundant sunshine constantly reminds them of what could have been. The ‘ker-ching’ of Argentinean Malbec around the world makes them jump up and down even more!
What did I recommend to my friend? I mentioned Salentein Primus Malbec (£45) if he’s feeling flush but suggested that he cracked open a bottle of Bonarda with their dinner. Oh, I also suggested a comparison bottle of Cahors (£15-20) from South West France. Yes, it’s also Malbec!
